Archive for the 'Hank Blalock' Tag Under 'Angels' Category

Infielder Hank Blalock has been designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Rays, meaning the Rays have 10 days to trade, release or waive him.

But the Angels have minimal interest in the 29-year-old Blalock who hit .254 with one home run and seven RBI in 63 at-bats for the Rays after signing a minor-league contract and starting the season in Triple-A.

Angels GM Tony Reagins would say only that he was aware of Blalock's situation.

“There are a lot of options we're looking at,” Reagins said. “I'm not going to talk about any specific players but there are options out there. It's just a matter of whether it's a good fit for our ballclub.”

Former All-Star third baseman Hank Blalock is batting .324 with four home runs and 24 RBI in 26 games for the Rays' Triple-A team in Durham this season. But that arrangement is about to change.

Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times reports that Blalock's agent -- cue ominous music -- Scott Boras is planning to notify the Rays that Blalock will activate an out clause in his minor-league deal within the next week. The clause requires the Rays to promote him to the big leagues within 48 hours or allow him to become a free agent.

Blalock, 29, had no big-league offers as a free agent this winter after hitting .234 with 25 home runs and 66 RBI for Texas last season, splitting time between first base and DH mainly. But he has played third base for Durham, showing he has recovered from his shoulder problems of recent years.

"I think a lot of people understand Hank's a better choice for them, so we'll see," Boras said to the Times. "Obviously the first hurdle is that Tampa Bay has to make its decision."

The Rays could use some help offensively -- but they're locked in at the corners (Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena) and are paying Pat Burrell a lot of money to DH. Swallowing that $9 million would be a difficult decision for the low-budget Rays.

Yes indeed, pitching to Hank Blalock with first base open and a rookie on deck Wednesday night was risky business.

But did Mike Scioscia and Mike Butcher have a right to expect Justin Speier, with catcher Mike Napoli set up outside, to throw a cookie right into Blalock's wheelhouse?

Like the Pythons said, "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!" Except Blalock already had a homer and double in the game.

Blalock's resultant, titanic shot to center for a two-run home run was only his second hit in nine career at-bats against Speier. Surely the prior, 1-for-8 history factored into the decision.

In my opinion, that is too small of a sample to trust someone who has a longer, recent history of trouble locating against left-handers to pitch carefully to Blalock, which is what "not giving in" means.